The Taranaki health sector continues working towards the health targets, which are indicative of a wider range of services and efforts in priority areas. We are committed to meeting the targets, while recognising there are areas for improvement.

The Health Targets are:

1) Shorter Stays in ED: Target 95%, Achieved 89%
We are disappointed to drop below the target of 95% of patients seen in ED admitted or transferred from the ED within six hours. This has been an enormous effort by the Emergency Department and the whole hospital approach, and along with the rest of the country, the drop can be partly attributed to the influx of winter ailments presenting to the ED. Our team continues to focus on improving the flow of patients in our acute pathway work.

2) Improved Access to Elective Surgery: Target 100%, Achieved 110%
Taranaki residents received higher than planned levels of elective surgery – 110% for the quarter – with 1,240 people receiving elective surgery across all providers. This is a very pleasing result but we will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to maintain our target.

4) Increased Immunisation: Target 95%, Achieved 89%
Increasing immunisation rates are a priority in order to reduce the incidence of preventable disease in our community. Taranaki continued to work hard to meet it’s target in this area, and it is pleasing to note an improvement in this quarter. The DHB is working closely with the PHOs in Taranaki to educate and inform the community on the benefits and importance of immunisation.

5) Better Help for Smokers to Quit: Target 95%, Achieved 93%
The overall result for Quarter One was very encouraging, with an improvement from the last quarter which was 83%. An online learning tool has been made available for staff and a dedicated smokefree liaison position has been implemented producing positive results.

6) Better Diabetes and Cardiovascular Services: Target Achieved 82%
Taranaki DHB continues to do well in this target and the DHB continues to support the PHOs in ensuring there are services in place to meet this target. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are among the main causes of ill health in Taranaki.